Abstract

UTILIZATION OF SEAWEED EXTRACT TO ENHANCE GROWTH AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF RAPHANUS SATIVUS VAR. PUSA CHETKI

*Uma Maheshwari M.

ABSTRACT

Agriculture is the mainstay of Indian economy and has the power to change the economic and social status of the country. Green revolution technologies have shown path to developing countries for selfsufficiency in food but for sustainable agricultural production, “resource degrading” chemical agriculture has been shifting to “resource protective” organic agriculture. In Tamil Nadu, people realizing the benefits of organic farming, many farmers have started converting their farming techniques to organic way. In the present study, investigations were made on efficacy of pre-treatment of Raphanus sativus var. pusa chetki seeds with different concentrations of brown seaweed (Zonaria) extract on germination at different incubation periods, growth and biochemical parameters by laboratory bioassay and pot culture experiments (saline soil). The maximum germination percentage (100%) was recorded at lower concentration (0.5%) with 12 and 24 hours of incubation and was reduced in 10% to 60% and 20% at 12 hours and 24 hours respectively. In pot culture experiment, liquid extract of Zonaria (2%) enhanced the root length, shoot length, root diameter, leaf area, fresh weight and dry weight by 30%, 63%, 227%, 86%, 65% and 91% respectively in comparison with control. The biochemical parameters such as protein, carbohydrates and vitamin C also enhanced in the plants treated with 2% extract than the control and other concentrations. The results of the present study showed that seaweed extract can be used as a pre sowing treatment for better growth and yield of vegetable crops.

Keywords: Raphanus sativus, Organic farming, Zonaria, saline soil.